SEC Filings

We are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income taxes in multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. Our effective tax rates for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016 were 0.3% and 0.1%, respectively, and 1.2% and 0.2% for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The variance between our effective rate and the U.S. statutory rate is due to the mix of pre-tax profit between the U.S. and international taxing jurisdictions with varying statutory rates, the impact of permanent differences, and other tax adjustments, such as valuation allowances against deferred tax assets, and tax expense or benefit recognized for uncertain tax positions.

We continued recording income taxes using a year-to-date effective tax rate method for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017. The use of this method was based on our expectations at September 30, 2017 that a small change in our estimated ordinary income could result in a large change in the estimated annual effective tax rate. We will re-evaluate our use of this method each quarter until such time as a return to the annualized effective tax rate method is deemed appropriate.

The Company assesses the realizability of its deferred tax assets each period by considering whether it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Due to the history of losses in recent years and the continued challenges affecting the oil and gas industry, management continues to believe it is more likely than not that we will not be able to realize our net deferred tax assets. No release of our deferred tax asset valuation allowance was made during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2017.

As of September 30, 2017, we had $0.3 million of unrecognized tax benefits, net of federal tax benefit, which, if recognized, would impact our effective tax rate. We record interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. We have accrued a liability of less than $0.1 million for the payment of interest and penalties as of September 30, 2017. We believe that it is reasonably possible that $0.2 million of our currently remaining unrecognized tax positions may be recognized in the next twelve months as a result of a lapse of statute of limitations and settlement of ongoing audits.

NOTE 10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation

Various suits and claims arising in the ordinary course of business are pending against us. We conduct business throughout the continental United States and may be subject to jury verdicts or arbitrations that result in outcomes in favor of the plaintiffs. We are also exposed to various claims abroad. We continually assess our contingent liabilities, including potential litigation liabilities, as well as the adequacy of our accruals and our need for the disclosure of these items, if any. We establish a provision for a contingent liability when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable. We have $10.7 million of other liabilities related to litigation that is deemed probable and reasonably estimable as of September 30, 2017. We do not believe that the disposition of any of these matters will result in an additional loss materially in excess of amounts that have been recorded.

In November 2015, the Santa Barbara County District Attorney filed a criminal complaint against two former employees and Key, specifically alleging three counts of violations of California Labor Code section 6425(a) against Key. The complaint sought unspecified penalties against Key related to an October 12, 2013 accident which resulted in the death of one Key employee at a drilling site near Santa Maria, California. An arraignment was held on February 10, 2016, where Key and its former employees pleaded not guilty to all charges.

On or about January 10, 2017, Key entered into a settlement with the Santa Barbara County District Attorney. Key agreed to plead no contest to one felony count (Count 2), a violation of California Labor Code 6425(a). The Santa Barbara County District Attorney also agreed to recommend total restitution, fines, fees, and surcharges not to exceed $450,000. The court dismissed the remaining charges (Counts 1 and 3) against Key. The parties agreed to postpone sentencing in the matter until January 20, 2018. The parties agreed that if Key pays all of the total restitution, fines, fees, and surcharges by January 20, 2018, the Santa Barbara County District Attorney will not object to Key withdrawing its plea to a felony count on Count 2 and entering a plea to a misdemeanor.